MAVERICK Hearts supremo Vladimir Romanov has joined his SPL rivals to back the new 12-12-18 set-up.

The SPL didn’t formally vote on the proposals at Hampden yesterday.

But Jambos chief executive David Southern emerged from the four-hour summit to state Romanov is behind it — just like EVERY top-flight club.

Now the SPL hope the SFL follow their lead on reconstruction.

On Romanov, Southern said: “He is very much for a redistribution of the income across all clubs and that box has been ticked. He is very much for youth development and again that box has been ticked.

“He wants to see a vibrant, thriving game in this country and that box is also ticked.”

If at least 75 per cent of SFL clubs give their approval at the national stadium on Thursday the proposal will likely move to a deciding vote in March.

Southern added: “The key positives, not just for Hearts but for all SPL and SFL clubs, are that it gives a distinct vision for Scottish football.

“We do believe it can make the game much more attractive. We feel we might have a bright future for the game in this country.

“All I can do is give an assurance that Hearts will support anything that is to the benefit of Scottish football.

“We do believe the 12-12-18 model is the best approach for Scottish football at this time.

“What it will do is re-invigorate and refresh the game and we believe it will attract more supporters in time when they are given a chance to understand the model fully.

“We think it will create extra competition and there will be very few meaningless games. It is not fool proof and it’s not perfect.

“But it’s a step in the right direction. I don’t think it is fair to say we are not listening to the fans. We communicate with our fans regularly and this is another matter we will speak to them on.”

SPL supremo Neil Doncaster, meanwhile, said: “SPL clubs were unanimous in their view that this should be taken forward to the next stage and it’s now over to the football league clubs to give their views on Thursday.

“We’ve got a window of opportunity here for change to occur.

“It’s a package of changes that will lead to a pyramid structure for the game, much greater promotion and relegation from the first tier to the second tier, an all-through distribution formula, a single league body.”

Rangers have bitterly opposed a 12-12-18 set-up, arguing that it effectively makes their current Third Division campaign worthless.

But Doncaster said: “I don’t understand that concern.

“Ultimately, the club that finishes top of SFL3 this season, who would be playing in the third tier of Scottish football next season if nothing happens, would still be playing in the third tier.”

But Gers chief executive Charles Green blasted: “SFL clubs meet on Thursday and there has to be the concern that if they don’t vote or arrive at any concrete solution then Scottish football could be back in the same situation which caused so much trauma last summer.”